by Lisa Lyons | Jun 29, 2018 | Editorial Styling
As the month of June comes to a close, I thought it might be a great time to share an editorial shoot we did a while back at the Ritz Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes with the talented photographer Kathy Thomas.
Kathy partnered with Bernadette Smith of the Gay Wedding Institute to offer certification as a Same-Sex Wedding Specialist. This event was attended by wedding professionals across the region as well as a number who traveled to Orlando from across the country.
Beyond the awesome training on working with same-sex couples, we produced editorial shoots in two very different Ritz Carlton locations with same-sex couples.
The first was outside at the beautiful Whisper Creek Farm, an amazing fruit and vegetable garden alongside an 11,000 square foot outdoor ‘Farm to Fork” event space. Delicious vegetables and fresh citrus from the garden are used right there for events at the Ritz Carlton Grand Lakes.
The space was designed for a luxurious, slightly rustic wedding for two beautiful brides who have been together 17 years. The raw wood gated entrance made a beautiful backdrop for their photos and intimate wedding ceremony. The trellis was swagged with garlands of magnolia leaves and full pink and lavender roses. Wooden boxes flanked the entrance overflowing with wildflowers and roses tying in the design of the archway.
The dining area was set under a canopy of trees; one of my favorite details was the custom menu board that greeted guests. The combination of the industrial metal frame and the brown butcher paper were offset by the beautiful script calligraphy of the menu.
The wooden farmhouse table was draped with a custom monogrammed table runner that was another favorite detail from this shoot. In this unique farm to fork setting, the perfect centerpiece was the blending of flowers and vegetables.
Raw wooden boxes were filled with luxurious antique roses, lavender, and larkspur accented with fresh Brussels sprouts, which added texture and a grounding color.
The final touch to this lush outdoor editorial shoot was the hanging Champagne bar; the wooden shelf holding Champagne flutes was suspended by ropes from the overhanging tree.
On the complete opposite end of the resort was a ballroom wedding reception design for two handsome grooms. Not only was this deign at the other end of the resort but was also a completely different design concept. This design was pure drama, sultry and glamourous.
This lush design in silver with creamy white roses, candelabras, and many candles were set against a backdrop of black linen to create a stunning, dramatic look. Long tables were nestled into a large hollow square. In the center was a small square table draped with a black and silver geometric linen and a beautiful arrangement as a focal point.
A shimmering drape behind the stage and lighted LED dancefloor added another unique element and some sparkle.
I had the best time designing these two editorial shoots including two same-sex couples and some incredible, warm and loving Orlando wedding professionals.
Thanks so much to these great professionals for being part of this event.
. Editorial Design: Lisa Stoner Events
. Photography: Kathy Thomas Photography
. Video: Key Moment Films
. Stationery: 2u Collection
. Floral + Chairs: Raining Roses
. Wedding Gowns: Solutions Bridal
. Tuxedos: Armani
. Menu Board: Chalk Shop
. Hair and Makeup: Kristy’s Artistry
. Linen: Over the Top Linen
by Lisa Lyons | May 18, 2018 | Ballroom Wedding
Tehsina and Ghadeer | Ritz Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
“A smile is always in fashion” is the most perfect quote to describe this fashion forward Orlando multi-cultural wedding celebration.
Seeing Tehsina and Ghandeer smile at each other at their First Look is to know just how much in love they are. They quite literally smile, giggle and look lovingly at each other all the time
An Orlando destination wedding was perfect for this cosmopolitan couple. Tehsina is the biggest Disney fanatic and has been since she and her family traveled here from Canada when she was a little girl. Her family traveled from Canada and England with Ghadeer’s family traveling from New York and the couple traveling from Boston for the wedding planning.
The elements of this chic stylish wedding design reflect Tehsina’s Muslim heritage as well as Ghandeer’s Arabic family background.
Her stunning Oscar de la Renta taffeta gown with fleur sequin and floral lace overlay, an illusion neckline, and three-quarter length sleeve were all beautiful touches for this modest gown.
Tehsina carried a long cascading bouquet of Italian ruscus, white ranunculus and several dozen fragrant stephanotis; the perfect accent to her simple, elegant wedding gown. The best part? It was an exact replica of her mother’s bridal bouquet that Jesus with Raining Roses expertly created. The look on Tehsina’s mother’s face when she (surprise!) first saw the bridal bouquet is what a wedding planner’s dreams are made of!
Even after a First Look and some private time together, Ghadeer, looking smashing in his Tom Ford tuxedo, smiled lovingly as his bride made her entrance escorted by her parents.
Beautiful contemporary arrangements of giant white calla lilies and monstera leaves in tall glass vases filled the aisle to the Ritz Carlton’s gazebo, draped in soft, flowing white fabric.
Modern Lucite boxes topped with geometric cubes and cascading white hydrangea and hanging amaranthus flanked the couple as they exchanged vows.
Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktail hour on the Tuscany Terrace while the newlyweds took a sneak peek at the luxurious, modern reception décor.
Simple black linen allowed the modern metal and glass risers filled with cylinders of floating candles and breathtaking white calla lilies to take center stage. Tall contemporary arrangements connected long guest tables surrounding the custom black and white dancefloor.
The look was completed with gold chairs, gold embellished glass chargers topped with monstera leaves and custom designed menu cards, and a sleek, marble veined wedding cake.
Tehsina and Ghadeer made a grand entrance with a Zaffa, a wedding march of crossed swords, dancing and drums; an ancient Arab tradition.
After an evening of dinner and dancing the newlyweds made their dramatic departure through a shower of sparklers.
Thank you to all of the vendors who made this wedding weekend such a huge success:
. Orlando Wedding Planner: Lisa Stoner Events
. Orlando Wedding Venue: Ritz Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
. Officiant: Rassam Jaffer, bride’s uncle
. Hair and Makeup: Daniela Delaney
. Wedding Photographer: Joshua Behan Photography
. Orlando Videographer: Jeffrey Stoner
. Floral: Raining Roses Productions
. Ceremony Chairs and Tables: Orlando Wedding and Party Rentals
. Reception Chairs: RW Events
. Lighting: Get Lit Productions
. Draping: Swag Décor
. Dance Floor: Letz Dance On It
. Linen: Over The Top Linen
. Paper and Directory Boards: Dogwood Blossom Stationery
. Ceremony Music: Classern Quartet
. Reception Music: Arabic DJ in Florida
. Wedding Cake: Ritz Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
. Photobooth: Flash by KWP
. Chargers: A Chair Affair
. Hedgewalls: Orlando Wedding and Party Rentals
by Lisa Lyons | Feb 15, 2018 | Wedding
First United Methodist Church | Private Residence
When Katie and Larry first came to Lisa Stoner Events they wanted a central Florida wedding; black tie optional that was tailored, romantic, elegant and classic. But I also realized they have a great sense of humor and wanted to incorporate that too.
You see, Katie and Larry met on tinder and fully embrace their love story; so the wedding hashtags #loveatfirstswipe and #tinderellamarriestinderfella were perfect for their wedding.
We looked at luxury hotels and various classic styled wedding venues, but Katie always dreamed of having her wedding reception in the home where she grew up. With a view like this, we can certainly see why.
There was only one catch, no one had lived in the home for a few years as her parents had since downsized and put off the task of readying the home to put on the market. Katie’s wedding was the perfect jump start to getting the home ready.
Katie and her bridal party got ready at her parents’ home, she wore a striking white lace mermaid style gown with a sweetheart neckline, cathedral length sheer veil with lace embellishments. Accenting this beautiful gown she carried a lush round bouquet of white roses and luxurious, fragrant gardenias with a full white satin stem wrap. Her wedding party wore deep purple bridesmaid’s gowns and carried bouquets of roses in white and various shades of pink.
They were transported to First United Methodist Church for a beautiful classic wedding ceremony officiated by Katie’s childhood pastor. The sanctuary was decorated with hanging flower clusters on each pew that coordinated with the oversized white garden urns on the altar, overflowing with full white hydrangea and brightly colored pink and fuchsia roses.
These two sharply dressed gentlemen created quite a stir as they announced Katie’s arrival.
After the wedding ceremony guests made their way to the family home where the cocktail hour was hosted on the ground floor of the house. As guests entered the backyard they were greeted by a beautiful black and white custom dance floor covering the family pool. One of the highlights of the evening was arranged by Katie’s father, retired professional golfer, Scott Hoch. He arranged for Darius Rucker of “Hootie and the Blowfish” to record a special wedding wish for the couple to be played just after their first dance.
The wedding reception was hosted in a show stopping clear tent, which was draped in soft pink fabric and adorned with sparkling crystal chandeliers. The tables were draped with deep purple linen which made the gold chiavari chairs and gold floral risers pop. Tables alternated with tall and low arrangements of white hydrangea, white roses as well as roses in various hues of pink, with soft tendrils of ivy trailing from the overhead arrangements. Soft lighting outside of the tent bathed the trees and Spanish moss in soft light that could be seen from inside the tent.
Katie and Larry’s wedding cake was a beautiful four-tier cake which alternated layers of white quilting with pearl accents and shimmering gold, accented with gold ribbon and surrounded by the bridal party’s bouquets.
Thanks to all the vendors who came together to make this wedding so memorable!
· Orlando Wedding Planner: Lisa Stoner Events
· Orlando Wedding Ceremony Venue: First United Methodist Church
. Wedding Reception Venue: Private Residence
. Catering: Hyatt Regency
· Orlando Wedding Officiant: Bill Barnes
· Wedding Photographer: Jensen Larson Photography
. Orlando Wedding Videographer: Jeffrey Stoner Video
· Floral Design: Raining Roses
· Hair Styling: Megan Bassett
. Makeup: LeJeune Artistry
· Lighting: Get Lit Productions
· Linen: Over The Top Linens
· Ceremony Music: Linda van Niekirk
. Wedding Reception Music: Leonard Brothers Band
· Tabletop- Chargers, Glassware, China: A Chair Affair
. Specialty Furniture / Draping: Swag Décor
. Tent: The Top Event Company
. Dance Floor: Performance Staging
. Wedding Cake: Lana Harm
. Portable Restrooms: Comfort House Equipment Rental
. Transportation: Mears Transportation
. Valet: Valet Today, Inc.
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